Apparatus for purifying gases



Mar. 13, 1923. 1,448,126 A. R. KOLB APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING GASES Filed Nov. 10, 1920 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 13, 1923.

ALFRED R. KOLB, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING GASES.

Application filed lt'ovember 10, 1920. Serial No. 423,140.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALFRED R. KOLB, a citizen of tne United States, and aresident of the city and county of San Francisco and State 'of California, have invented a new 'anduseful Apparatus for Purifying Gases, of which the following is a specification. My invention relates to the preheating and purifying of gases with special refer- 1o ence to the manufacture of sulfuric acid.

An object of the invention is to providean improved means and method of preheating the sulfur gases and the elimination by oxidation ofsublimed sulfur entrained in the gases. Further objects include the provision of means-and method characterized by great economy in fuel, accurate temperature control and simplicity and cheapness of the equipment.

Other objects of the invention together with the foregoing will beset forthin the following description of the preferred process and the preferred embodiment of means for practicing the same, which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theshowing made by the said description and drawings, as I may adopt variations of my 80 preferred forms within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims. I

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of a plant embodying the apparatus of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thru my preheater. f

In the manufacture of sulfuric acid by one well known method, it is necessary to preheat the sulfuric gases after they have 40 been filteredand purified, to about 750 F. before they enter the converter. This -is done bycirculating the gases thru a'series of U-pipes heated on .the outside by hot gases from an oil burner. This involves great waste of fuel as fully of the heat is used to maintain the temperature of the preheater, the radiation and stack lossesbeing very high. a

In accordance with my process, I bring 50 the sulfur gases into direct contact with a flame immediately before they enter the converter, thus eliminating all stack losses and the greater portion of radiation losses since the sulfur gases take up nearly all of the flame heat and at once enter the converter. I use a mixture of fuel gas and airy in proper proportions'to give complete combustion and discharge the fuel. mixture under pressure into .the path of the sulfur' gases. Either illuminating or producer gas is satisfactory for my process, and after ad justment of the quantity of" fuel mixture to give the desired temperature to the sulfur gases, little attention is required; If desired, thermally responsive means of 811 known type. may be used to automatically 1 vary the fuel so that a constant temperature is maintained automatically. 4

In a sulfur burning plant my system of preheating makes the complicated purifying system; usually needed, unnecessary, as any sublimed sulfur entrained inthe sulfur gases is oxidized by the flame. In this case the gases may be led-directly into my preheater from the combustion chamber.

In order to practice my process, the sulfur gas is conducted 'by pipes'2 into the heaters 3 and from these into the converters 4, thru pipes 6, which are enough smaller than the heaters to bafiie the escape of the gases until their temperature has risen to the desired degree. The heater comprises a conduit-or section of pipe having an in take preferably on the side, and for con,- venience may be formed of a T'and straight coupled together as shown. Supported on suitable legs 7 in the heater below the inlet is a pipe 8, comprising a hood open at both ends. Thus, gas entering the heater flows around the annular space surrounding the hood and then into the chamber 9 at the end of the hood. 7 v Arranged in the hood on the detachable head 11 is the burner head '12, to which is fed under low pressure "a mixture of fuel gas and air in the proper proportions for perfect combustion. The. flames from the burner emerge from the hood into the chamber 9 when they come into direct contact with the S0 gas, giving up their heat to the gas and oxidizing any sublimed sulfur entrained therein.

- 'Thechief function of the hood is to provide protection or shield for the flame. Although a small amount of sulfur gas also flows thru the.hood, its volume and velocity are insufficient to affect the flame. To a certain extent the gas flowing around the hood is heated by it, and this is made use of to keep it from becoming overheated as it would otherwise do. The cool gases flowing over the outside preyent the hood from gaining an excessive temperature, and from the inside of the hood the flames and hot products of combustion emerge into the already partially heated sulfur gas. Thus a combustible gas is kept burning in the midst of an incomoustible gas, practically all of the heat of comioustion being taken up by the incombustihle gas. Suitable insulating lagging 13 should surround the heater for highest economy.

I claim:

1. A heater for gases comprising a eon duit thru which said gases flow, a hood arranged in the conduit, and means -for proieae, 12a

jecting a flame from. said hood into said conduit. 7

2. A heater for gases comprising a conduit thru which said gases flow, a tubular hood arranged in the conduit, and a fuel gas burner arranged inthe hood.

3. A heater for gases comprising a conduit thru which said gases flow and having the inlet for said gases in the side thereof,

a tubular hood arranged in said conduit and extending therein past the inlet aperture,

and means for introducing a combustible gas Within said hood.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALFRED Pt. KOLB. 

